NOTE: Thank you to InDreamsILived for leaving a review and to Nicole Wire and Lovingh3art for following and faving this story! I really appreciate the support. I'd like to add here that this story will technically begin near the middle of season 4 of BTVS. Right after season 1, episode 11, of Angel. And eventually, it'll branch off into its own chaos. Just so you guys have a rough idea where Jackie is currently residing when it comes to the timeline of the series.
-: CHAPTER TWO: WELCOME TO SUNNYHELL:-
It had been an entire day since Angel had rescued Jackie from the guy who looked like her deceased father. Twenty-four hours since her abrupt arrival into a world like hers. At least in the ordinary sense of the term but definitely not due to being a realm filled with real monsters, demons, witches, and warlocks. Unlike her's where they were just fantasies. Jackie knew from her studies that proof of actual supernatural beings was a subject of unfocused images. Of here say and myths. Even still, the media loved those tales in her alternate existence, here in this world creatures roamed around among populations who barely noticed they were legitimate. At least she knew enough to understand her life was in danger.
The man on the computer screen looked like her father. Same old man features, hair receding and wrinkles included in the package, with the same around the clock job. It didn't matter if Holland Manners was a lawyer in her world as it was in theirs. That his voice was the same with those eyes that looked at her with recognition; that man was not her father. The point about this phenomenon was that Jackie couldn't recall him from the show. Then again, she didn't watch Angel that much despite friends telling her she ought to back when those shows still aired. It was merely two years ago that she had even watched the full series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Though, that was because of a roommate at the time having the complete box-set. And with no cable, it developed into a frequent occasion to watch a few of episodes before bed. However, It wasn't like she remembered every little detail.
Jackie didn't even know how to feel about all this. Of being summoned, told a version of her had died, and being placed in a world that should only exist on a tv screen and in pages of comic books. Though disgusted was on the list. It wasn't toward the series as a whole. No, she liked the supernatural concept of it all, the way lore came to life. The dislike was due to the supposed family connection to Wolfram & Hart. Jackie knew a sufficient amount about Wolfram & Hart to understand that this version of her father who worked for the law firm didn't bow well for her. Not. At. All.
Uncomfortable with what they discovered thus far, Jackie turned her gaze away from the computer screen and crossed her arms. "That man is not my father."
"He spoke to you like you were his daughter, though. " Cordelia had swung around in her chair to face Jackie, pressing for further detail. While Angel stood against the farthest wall, arms crossed in thought, but his focus never left her. Then there was Wesley who was leaning on the desk, lingering near the screen to read more on the information presented there.
This reality of Jackie Manners was on the screen as well above a small biography. The photograph was professionally done with her gaze set to the camera. The eyes dark and fierce looking with her head tilted downward, making her seem like she was glaring. The picture cut off at about mid-waist and it showed all she had on underneath the white button up shirt was a black tube top, stomach flat with a light definition of muscles. She had gripped the collar of the white button-up shirt too, popping it. The woman in the photo had the same triangular-shaped face with deep green upturned eyes, and short black hair styled similar to a pixie-cut, the bangs swept over to the right eye to sit on top of the eyebrow. The complexion was smooth, blemish-free, with full lips and small Greek-like nose too. The tattoos were even the same as the line work and watercolor snaked up both arms, showing off a wide assortment since the sleeves of the shirt were rolled up.
In short, this version of her gave off an air of 'I'm bad.' The photo alone telling her that the woman must have modeled at some point. No doubt used to the camera and even possibly made money off the gig. Unlike her self. A few selfies, maybe, but otherwise Jackie didn't like to be photographed. While this version of her seemed to have loved the limelight.
What differences it must have made to be born in L.A, thought Jackie.
The biography was short and sweet. Most likely kept that way to keep the page nice and neat. She was born and raised in Los Angeles and died approximately a year ago at the age twenty-four. Just as her father did in her world, Jackie noticed since the article was eerily the same as well: Death by stabbing in an alleyway.
"Holland is my father, yes, but that guy," Jackie gestured at the screen without giving it another look. "Is not."
"Different dimensions. Alternative universes." Wesley mumbled before peering up at Jackie over the rim of his glasses. "Meaning he existed there and here like you do."
Jackie nodded at the comment, understanding. Hell, she knew full well when it came to the context of different realities. They existed in her world too but as actors on a screen after all. Not people on a mission to help those in need. To stop the world from ending time and time again. It made Jackie wish she saw more than a handful of episodes for this secondary adaptation of the BTVS universe. Jackie didn't even know why Doyle wasn't here rather than Wesley or why Cordelia was having visions as Doyle did. Though, her roommate had told her at one point. Probably...
When an interval between conversation took place, Angel spoke up. "He mentioned you had died and the obituary states his claims." He then pushed off the wall, gaining rest of the group's attention. Only stopping once he reached the growing circle around the tiny desk, hands bracing his weight on the table top. "So he brought you back from the dead." it was a statement more than a question, but Wesley shook his head at Angel's comment. The Englishmen's thought process was already registering a different outcome and just waiting his turn to share it.
"Yeah, but it's not the same." Jackie shook her head. "In my... dimension, Holland died. Not me."
"From what I understand It seems more like he brought a different version of his daughter into this realm unbeknownst to himself." If only they knew what world, of what knowledge she held. Not much good it did for her, though, since she never finished Angel and hadn't seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer in years.
"That's good though, right? At least you're not a zombie." Cordelia pitched in with a smile. The reassurance hardly made Jackie feel any better.
Sure, it was great that she wasn't some walking corpse that fed on flesh, or however zombies worked in this world, but it still didn't answer the question of why she was here. Bringing people back from the afterlife wasn't uncommon with the right context for this world, right? So why didn't that work? Why her? She had to ask.
"Why am I here?" Jackie spoke aloud the question they were all thinking. "Why me and not the dead version of me, you know?"
"Why indeed?" Wesley nodded in understanding before turning away to the collection of books: the materials they had drugged up throughout the night while Jackie recollected herself. "But we will figure this out. It's what we do."
"Until then," Angel drew Jackie's attention again, a softer expression on his face. With those eyebrows creased in worry and eyes filled with determination. "You should stay low. Keep to the building." However caring that was meant to be, that Angel wanted to play his role as the protector, she couldn't help but almost scoff.
Jackie wished she could point out how staying at this office building wouldn't be enough in the long run. Not since Wolfram & Hart knew about this place. She could even faintly recall them visiting a time or two, or maybe that was when they had the hotel? Oh yeah, the hotel. Things were slowly coming back to her. Either way, protection here would only last to a certain extent, but It wasn't like she could tell them precisely how she knew all that. It wasn't like Jackie could pull off the 'I see the future' card either due to Cordelia already claiming it. What with The Powers to Be, etcetera. Though, she didn't have to since Wesley chipped in instead, voicing her thoughts out loud.
"I'm not sure that will work completely, Angel. They know she is with you and they know where this establishment is." Closing a book he picked up another before proceeding, eyes still scanning the pages. "That man believes Jackie here is his daughter and worked with, from what I can tell so far, dark magic to bring her here. It seems to me that she is of some importance, so whatever they require her for it won't be for a good cause."
Cordelia couldn't help but agree at that, "Yeah, something tells me that Lawyer guy didn't bring her supposedly back from the dead out of the kindness of his heart. Father or not." And Jackie agreed on that as she observed the trio. Anybody that served for Wolfram & Hart had nothing good planned up their sleeves. After all, they were the essential bad guy of the entire series.
Angel paced to the other side of the room as he spoke with a cloudy expression, voice sounding determined when he spoke again. "That doesn't matter. She's under our protection now, like any other client until we can find a way to fix this, and get her safely home."
Home. Back to her world and all its standard rules. Now that would be nice. It wasn't like Jackie didn't like the notion of some Great Adventure. On the contrary, the thought could easily be exciting, but she still didn't want the possibilities it brought with it.
This version of Holland had the capability of doing powerful, terrible things. Or at least, knowing the right source to tap into to get his way. And what of her mom? What was her family like here? Did she come from a lineage of bad people? There was just so much to theorize, to take in. While contemplating this, Jackie had missed a portion of the discussion. She tuned back in, her attention on Wesley since he was the one speaking. From what Jackie could tell, they still conversing about her wellbeing, but she was still unsure what direction this would take. Until Wesley's next comment that is.
"I think we should take extra precautions." The ex-Rogue Hunter lowered the book, cupping it under his arm before continuing. "I suggest taking her to the Slayer."
"To Sunnydale?" Cordelia sat up in her chair. Jackie couldn't help but also perk a little at the concept.
Now that would be interesting.
"Yes. See, that's miles away. I mean, I know you and uh.." He trailed off, deciding not to say her name for Angel's benefit. "Are not exactly on speaking terms, but maybe it would be for the better until we figure out things here." Angel had stopped pacing the room at the mention of Buffy and was facing Wesley with mixed emotions. His expression thoughtful but upset though he seemed to consider it from what Jackie could tell.
"It could work, temporarily anyway," Cordelia added between the laps of silence. "I don't think Wolfram & Hart would go looking for her in Sunnydale right away."
Another minute passed before Angel came to terms with the idea, his dark eyes meeting Jackie's from across the room. "I'll call Giles."
It was already past noon by the time they arrived in Sunnydale, a four-hour drive from Los Angeles, and Jackie never expected to be here. Well, she never expected to be in L.A either let alone in a fictional show. Which only added on to the strangeness of her predicament. She was in the middle of the states before coming to the world of Angel. Nowhere near the ocean. And attending a college while enjoying her introverted nature. Now she was being dropped off on Giles front step. Buffy's Watcher, the British speaking ex-Librarian of Sunnydale High who currently looked like he was cleaning house, what with a duster in hand when the door opened.
"Oh, Cordelia. It's good to see you again." he gave the woman beside Jackie a genuine smile though his eyes seemed lost like he had a lot on his mind. "And this must be the Miss Manner's that Angel had mentioned. It's a pleasure to meet you." his hand reaching out in the average welcoming gesture.
Jackie shook the hand offered out of politeness. "Same." her response short but not rude.
"We can't thank you enough for helping us out, Giles." Cordelia beamed a grateful smile. "It shouldn't take too long. Before you know it she'll be out of your hair."
"It's quite alright." He reassured her." Oh," he then shifted his weight, stepping aside to offer them inside. "Do come in." Jackie slid past, making sure not to shoulder the older man before turning to face her riding companion. It didn't look like Cordelia would come in since she continued to stand outside.
"I can't. It's a long drive back and I want to get there before nightfall." That was understandable. They certainly had a lot on their hands. Not including whatever the show had in store for them.
Vague snippets crossed Jackie's mind. Which caused her to feel terrible at that thought, but this was the only way to get home. Right? It wasn't like she knew how to do spells or kill demons. Her previous way of life wasn't a movie where she grew up taking martial arts classes, gaining skills to fight and conquer, all because of some prophecy explaining her destiny. Or something along those lines. She was an average human being. Emphases on 'was.'
"Oh, all right. Understandable." Giles nodded along in his own words, "Call me when you turn up something."
"Of course," Cordelia smiled again before turning away to head back to the car, waving a goodbye. "See you guys later."
"Drive safe," Giles called out as Jackie simply provided a wave.
Once Cordelia was in Angel's car the older man shut the door to face the younger woman taking up residence in his living room. It didn't take a rocket scientist to notice his nervousness and Jackie couldn't blame him in all honesty. She was trouble in the sense of bad guys hunting her down, wanting her for reasons she didn't yet know, and now she was under his roof with nothing but the clothes on her back.
"So, I noticed you didn't bring anything." he broke the awkward moment of silence and Jackie gave him a strained smile for his efforts. Her reaction was light but a tad sarcastic in reply.
"It's not like I signed up for a dimension traveling vacation."
"Ah, right. I suppose that makes sense." Giles nodded while shifting away, his hand grabbing hold of his glasses out of habit, and cleaning them absentmindedly. "Well, make yourself at home."
Home.. if only it were really home, Jackie thought while turning her back toward Giles as he had done her.
A/N: I'm sorry this one is short. I know I prefer long chapters so I am going to aim for the next one to be longer~
Anyway, if you like this story so far please leave a review, follow, or even a fave. It'll help me know to continue writing this cause without interest; I lose faith in this being any good to share. Constructive criticism is welcomed too for I am well aware that my writing skills lack something akin to professionalism.